Chapter 180: Birthday Invitation

(The protagonist is not yet bold enough; a process of change is needed.)

It was the peak of the lunch hour; outside, snow was falling in heavy flakes and the cold wind was howling, but inside the spacious and noisy cafeteria, it was warm and cozy. The food service windows were lined with six long, snake-like queues, and young couples were snuggling together intimately, frequently showing off their affection.

A few lone wolves were eating while watching TV; whenever a spectacular goal was scored in the NBA, they couldn't help but rub their hands together and whisper, "Nice!"

There were also a few blockheads who, coveting the cafeteria's heating, wouldn't leave after eating and were there diligently reading books.

Hearing Chen Shanni's question, Wu Yueer's cheeks flushed slightly, and she said with a smile, "What skincare products? I came out bare-faced today, okay? Maybe it's just because I've been resting well these past two days."

Chen Shanni deeply admired her temperament; having experienced such great controversy, Wu Yueer was completely unmoved, eating with gusto and sleeping soundly.

If it were her, her spirit might have collapsed long ago.

Looking at the noisy environment around them, with students either burying their heads in their meals or laughing and joking, no one was paying any attention to Wu Yueer; the storm had quietly vanished into thin air.

She decided to learn well from Wu Yueer, to remain calm whether favored or humiliated, watching the flowers bloom and fall before the courtyard; to be indifferent to going or staying, gazing at the clouds rolling and unfurling in the sky.

Just as Wu Yueer said: "What does not kill me makes me stronger."

At this moment, Lin Yang appeared from some unknown corner, holding a food tray, and said shamelessly, "Yue'er, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

Toward this friend who believed in her, Wu Yueer did not refuse.

She even revealed a warm smile.

This smile was like the warm sun of winter and the cool breeze of a summer night, instantly piercing Lin Yang's palpitating heart; Lin Yang was completely immersed in an unprecedented sense of joy and happiness.

Previously, Wu Yueer only knitted her brows or smiled for Shen Yan, yet today she had broken the mold and smiled at him.

What was going on?

Could it be that because of what happened two days ago, his concern had moved her?

He had finally cleared the clouds to see the moonlight; indeed, persistence would eventually be rewarded.

After sitting down, Lin Yang began to ask how Wu Yueer had been these past two days, whether she had been affected by that incident, and if there was any progress from the Police Station.

Wu Yueer shook her head, "Handling a case requires a process; the Police Station will notify me the moment there is news."

"That rotten-assed piece of trash, that dog, don't let me find out who it is, or I'll definitely beat him until even his own mother wouldn't recognize him."

Looking at Lin Yang's fierce expression, Wu Yueer only smiled faintly, the image of Shen Yan unconsciously surfacing in her mind.

That bad guy must be with Hao Anqi.

So angry! I miss him so much!

She wanted to make a phone call, but worried that Shen Yan would be angry; last night Shen Yan said his heart was so tired, having to look after her emotions on one side, while on the other was Hao Anqi, with whom he had a close relationship.

A dilemma!

Wu Yueer couldn't bear to make things too difficult for Shen Yan; it was she who was too greedy, having clearly agreed not to ask Shen Yan to take responsibility, her initial thought being that even if they couldn't be together forever, having once possessed it was enough.

However, afterward, she had cried and gone back on her word, wanting to demand more step by step.

In fact, she could tell that Shen Yan regretted it quite a bit; several times he had lain on the bed staring at the ceiling, wanting to smoke but finding no cigarettes, so he had to chew on a lollipop instead.

Perhaps the sweet taste could dispel his worries.

But things had reached this point, and Wu Yueer would not let go no matter what; flies don't bite seamless eggs, and it was Shen Yan who had personally admitted he liked her.

Even if they were discovered later and she had to bear the infamy, she wanted to be with Shen Yan.

She even vaguely longed to be discovered, so that Hao Anqi would break up with Shen Yan, and she could fly away with him to find a place where no one knew them and start over. It was just that Shen Yan would surely be very unhappy, or perhaps devastated, and that was something she did not wish to see.

At this time, Lin Yang keenly noticed two faint red marks on the back of Wu Yueer's neck; he pointed with his finger and asked curiously, "Why is it red here?"

Wu Yueer was startled; it was probably a mark left by Shen Yan kissing her too hard last night. She said with an unnatural tone, "It felt a bit itchy so I scratched it twice, it's nothing."

Lin Yang didn't think much of it; he also often scratched that area, and it was normal for it to be a bit red.

The topic was dropped.

Tomorrow was Chen Shanni's birthday; Wu Yueer asked her how she wanted to spend it. Chen Shanni didn't have many friends, let alone many ideas.

Chen's mother said she would come over tomorrow to celebrate her birthday with her; as for Chen's father... it didn't matter whether he came or not.

"Why not call the sisters from the dorm and have everyone eat a meal with you, buy a cake, light candles, and make a wish," Wu Yueer suggested.

Lin Yang's eyes darted around, wanting to say something, but he realized he had no standing. The girls in the dorm were all cold and aloof to the bone, always huddled together for warmth, and they didn't show any kindness to boys, as if they had a grudge against them.

Even the class monitor, Yu Youwei, was only superficially friendly with everyone.

The boys in the class all felt it was a pity; such good cabbages not being given to pigs to root.

What a waste of heaven's gifts!

Looking around, only Shen Yan could get along well with the girls' dorm; his way with women was truly unmatched.

Hearing Wu Yueer's words, Chen Shanni couldn't help but feel moved. In previous years, celebrating her birthday in Shanghai, her home was either cold and desolate, or the people who came were all her father's business associates.

It was truly boring to the extreme!

It wasn't until she entered university and met these roommates with such distinct personalities that she found getting along with them indescribably relaxed and refreshing for both body and mind.

If she celebrated her birthday with them, it should be a nice experience.

"Would it be bad to notify them at the last minute? They might not have time," Chen Shanni said, her words carrying a hint of expectation and hesitation.

Wu Yueer saw through her insincerity and said that asking would tell them if they had time or not.

Immediately after, she posted the news of Chen Shanni's birthday tomorrow in the dorm group chat, asking everyone if they were free to come over for a meal.

Luo Qiqi: "Oh my! I didn't even know it was Shanni's birthday (blushing)"

Yu Youwei: "I forgot too, let's go buy a gift together."

Yuan Mingqing: "Let's go!"

A bright smile hung on the corner of Chen Shanni's mouth, and she hurriedly typed: "No need to buy gifts, I'll be very happy if everyone just comes over for a meal."

Yu Youwei: "It's not good to show up empty-handed, why don't we buy a cake."

Luo Qiqi: "Good suggestion!"

Yuan Mingqing: "Agreed!"

Wu Yueer: "+1"

Chen Shanni thought that a cake wouldn't cost much, so she didn't say anything more.

Immediately, she took out her phone to message Mother Chen, uh... should she invite Shen Yan!